Universal Print is a Microsoft 365 subscription-based service that organizations use to centralize print management through the Universal Print portal. This article will provide insights on configuring printing and Universal Print for the AZ-140 exam.

Table of Contents

Configuring Printing in Azure Virtual Desktop

Configuring printing in Azure Virtual Desktop requires the understanding of three available printing solutions:

  • Client Printer redirection: This allows local printer devices from user’s machine to be redirected to the Azure Virtual Desktop session. This solution doesn’t require any extra infrastructure but might lead to high bandwidth usage.
  • Network Printer redirection: Using this solution, the Microsoft enhanced Point and Print driver is used to cater for network attached printers. However, the printer must be shared, and it might face compatibility issues with certain printers.
  • Universal Print: This is a Microsoft 365 subscription-based solution that allows organizations to centralize print management through the Universal Print portal. Universal Print comes with several benefits that make it superior to the other two options and the preferred choice.

Universal Print

Universal Print eliminates the need for on-premises print servers or the need for printer-specific drivers which can simplify print management in a significant way. It supports all printers that come with a Universal Print ready tag.

However, for printers that are not Universal Print ready, a Universal Print connector must be installed on either Windows 10, Windows Server 2019, or Windows Server 2016.

Universal Print comes with a plethora of benefits including centralized print management, easy printer sharing, detailed analytics and insights among others.

Deploying Universal print

The deployment of Universal Print is divided into a 3-step process:

  1. Register a Printer: Universal Print ready printers can be registered with the Universal Print directly while non-universal print-ready printers can be registered using the Universal Print proxy application.
  2. Share a Printer: Once registered, you can share the printer with users, groups and devices in your organization. This is done from the Universal Print portal.
  3. Connecting and Printing: Client devices running Windows 10 can connect to these shared printers and print directly.

Deployment is typically done by the IT Admin. The Admin must have the Global Administrator or Printer Administrator role assigned to them to register or share printers.

Conclusion

Understanding how to configure printing in Azure Virtual Desktop and knowing how to utilize Universal Print is a major preparation step in your journey to pass the AZ-140 Configuring and Operating Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop exam. Universally Preferable Print offers a great deal of flexibility and efficiency in managing printing solutions for organizations. Thus learning it not only enhances your chances of passing the exam but also boosts your employability and efficiency in handling cloud-based solutions.

Practice Test

The Universal Print feature is exclusively designed for Azure.

  • 1) True
  • 2) False

Answer: True

Explanation: Universal Print is a Microsoft 365 service that organizations use to centralize print management through the Universal Print portal.

Configuring printing with Azure Virtual Desktop does not require a VPN.

  • 1) True
  • 2) False

Answer: True

Explanation: Azure Virtual Desktop solution allows printing without the need of a VPN connection, which simplifies the print process.

Which of the following is essential for configuring the Universal Print with Azure?

  • 1) A universal print compatible printer
  • 2) An internet connection
  • 3) All of the above

Answer: All of the above

Explanation: For configuring Universal Print with Azure, both an internet connection and a Universal Print compatible printer are necessary.

Azure Virtual Desktop supports local printers.

  • 1) True
  • 2) False

Answer: True

Explanation: With Azure Virtual Desktop, users can print documents from their virtual desktop session to a printer installed on their local computer.

Once a printer is registered on Universal Print, it can be immediately accessed by all users.

  • 1) True
  • 2) False

Answer: False

Explanation: After registration, the printer needs to be shared with users or groups in Azure Active Directory before it’s accessible.

With Universal Print, you can restrict printing to certain printers based on user groups.

  • 1) True
  • 2) False

Answer: True

Explanation: Universal Print allows you to manage access to printers. You can share printers with specific groups in Azure Active Directory.

Azure Virtual Desktop supports both pull and push printing methods.

  • 1) True
  • 2) False

Answer: True

Explanation: The Azure virtual desktop supports both pull (users pick a document up from a printer) and push (sends a document to a specific printer) printing methods.

Universal Print is a free feature of Azure.

  • 1) True
  • 2) False

Answer: False

Explanation: Universal Print is available as part of certain subscriptions or as a standalone purchase.

Which type of printer is compatible with Azure Virtual Print?

  • 1) Network printer
  • 2) Universal Print compatible printer
  • 3) All of the above

Answer: All of the above

Explanation: Azure Virtual Print requires either a network printer or one that’s specifically compatible with Universal Print.

It’s possible to track and manage print jobs with Universal Print.

  • 1) True
  • 2) False

Answer: True

Explanation: Universal Print’s online portal allows admins to track and manage print jobs, monitor printer health, and adjust printer settings.

Azure Virtual Desktop supports remote printing.

  • 1) True
  • 2) False

Answer: True

Explanation: Azure Virtual Desktop allows for remote printing, with print jobs being sent from the virtual desktop service directly to the user’s local or network connected printer.

The Universal Print does not provide a centralized print management solution.

  • 1) True
  • 2) False

Answer: False

Explanation: Universal Print is a Microsoft-based solution that enables centralized print management and eliminates the need for print servers.

Universal Print requires printer drivers to be installed on user devices.

  • 1) True
  • 2) False

Answer: False

Explanation: One of the advantages of Universal Print is that it eliminates the need for device-specific printer drivers.

Interview Questions

What is Universal Print in the context of Microsoft Azure?

Universal Print is a Microsoft 365 subscription-based service that organizations use to centralize print management through the Universal Print portal.

Can Universal Print be used without an Azure subscription?

No, Universal Print is a Microsoft 365 subscription-based service and requires Azure Active Directory.

What is the role of a Universal Print connector?

A Universal Print connector is a software that facilitates a connection between the printers and Universal Print. It enables printing from Windows devices when a printer doesn’t support Universal Print natively.

In Azure, where can you find the Universal Print settings?

In Azure, the Universal Print settings can be found in the Microsoft 365 admin center.

Can you use Universal Print for printing from non-Windows devices?

Currently, Universal Print supports printing only from Windows clients that run Windows 10, version 1903, and later.

How do you add a printer to Universal Print?

You can add a printer to Universal Print by installing a printer specific software or Universal Print connector on your print server and then registering the printer with Universal Print.

Which operating systems are currently supported by the Universal Print connector?

The Universal Print connector currently supports Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2016.

Does Azure Virtual Desktop support local printing?

Yes, Azure Virtual Desktop supports local as well as network printing.

What happens if a user cannot access a print job in Azure Virtual Desktop?

If a user cannot access a print job, it may be due to incorrect printer setup, lack of permissions, or network issues. The problem can be troubleshooted by checking these aspects.

Which web-based portal is used to manage Universal Print printers?

The Microsoft 365 admin center is the web-based portal used to manage Universal Print printers.

How can printer drivers be managed in Azure Virtual Desktop?

Printer drivers can be managed in Azure Virtual Desktop through the use of Group Policy Objects or scripts.

What is the primary benefit of using Universal Print in Azure Virtual Desktop?

The primary benefit of using Universal Print in Azure Virtual Desktop is centralized management and elimination of print servers. It helps simplify organizational print management infrastructure.

What is the advantage of native support printers in Universal Print?

Native support printers connect directly to Universal Print without needing a connector. This makes printer management and deployment easier.

What is required to manage print jobs in Universal Print?

Universal Print requires having Global Administrator or Printer Administrator role permissions in Azure AD to manage print jobs.

How can you share a printer in Universal Print?

In Universal Print, a printer can be shared by locating the printer in the Microsoft 365 admin center, selecting the printer and then selecting the “Share” option to add the users or groups who need access to it.

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